Panasonic executives detailed their thoughts on the future of the company and the industry as a whole at a CEATEC round table this week. Over 70 journalists bombarded the panel with questions, but the one thing on everyone’s mind was 3DTV.

Ken Morita, a senior managing partner, said that while no one can truly predict what sales and demand will be like for 3DTV in the near future, Panasonic needs to be at the forefront. A similar sentiment was echoed by Takumi Kajisha, who compared 3D technology to other innovations that have launched companies dramatically forward.

“A strong brand must have competitive products like Apple's iPod and Sony's Walkman. Home 3-D HD could be that breakthrough product for Panasonic,” said Kajisha. He added that it was absolutely essential to utilize social networking sites in order to communicate best with potential customers. “In order to do that, we must build brand reputation by building ad spending, and use social-media networks like You Tube, Twitter and talk with each other.”

Interestingly, Panasonic sees no future for Blu-ray recorders in the US. According to Yoshiyuki Miyabe, there just isn’t demand for it in the home. He says that in the analog era, the only real option was VHS, and consumers flocked to it. The way the US has embraced DVRs and IPTV though, means that there is little room for Blu-ray recorders.